Siem Reap is stepping up efforts to bring more air passengers back to the province as the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) work together to expand flight connectivity and attract airlines from key international markets. The initiative was discussed on Wednesday during a meeting between Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of SSCA, and Lu Wei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. (AIAI), which operates SAI. The goal is not only to increase passenger numbers but also to strengthen Siem Reap’s tourism sector and encourage longer visitor stays.
The push comes as passenger traffic at SAI continues to recover but remains well below pre pandemic levels. The airport handled 1.47 million passengers in 2025, a 5.3 percent increase from 2024, yet that figure represented only 37.6 percent of the passenger volume recorded in 2019. During the first six months of 2026, SAI welcomed 714,133 passengers. SSCA and the airport are therefore looking at new routes, higher flight frequencies and airline incentives to help accelerate the recovery.
Why SAI Is Looking to Bring More Passengers Back?
Since opening in October 2023, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has become the main aviation gateway for visitors travelling to Siem Reap and the Angkor region. The airport was built to strengthen the province’s international connectivity and support the long term development of tourism around the UNESCO listed Angkor Archaeological Park.
However, passenger numbers have yet to return to the levels seen before COVID 19. SSCA Secretary of State and spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha said the airport’s role in improving connectivity is significant, while acknowledging that stronger efforts are needed to rebuild passenger traffic.
China, India, South Korea and ASEAN in Focus
One of the key priorities discussed by SSCA and SAI is attracting additional flights from markets with strong potential to send visitors to Siem Reap. These include China, India, South Korea, the Middle East and other ASEAN countries.
The strategy reflects the importance of diversifying Siem Reap’s international visitor base. More direct routes and more frequent flights could make it easier for tourists, business travellers and other international visitors to reach the province without relying heavily on connecting flights through other regional hubs.
For tourism businesses, stronger air connectivity could also create opportunities to attract visitors from new markets and develop packages tailored to different traveller groups.
Airline Incentives Could Help Open New Routes
To encourage airlines to increase their presence in Siem Reap, the two sides also discussed incentive programmes involving airport service fees. Such measures are intended to make it more attractive for airlines to introduce new routes or increase flight frequencies on existing connections.
The approach is particularly important in a competitive regional aviation market, where airlines carefully assess passenger demand, operating costs and the potential profitability of new routes. If incentives can reduce some of the initial costs associated with launching services, they could help SAI build stronger connections with priority markets.
SAI has a 3,600 metre runway and a 4E airport classification, giving it the infrastructure needed to serve as a major international gateway to Siem Reap and the Angkor region.
A New Tourism Vision for the Former Siem Reap Airport
Air connectivity is only one part of the broader strategy. During the meeting, representatives of AIAI and its investment partner, Yuntou Group, also presented a proposal for the redevelopment of the former Siem Reap airport site under the “Miracle Angkor” project.
The 196 hectare site is proposed as a major cultural, tourism, commercial and night time tourism destination. Plans include an international exhibition centre, a digital museum and carbon free green tourism performances, creating additional reasons for visitors to spend time in Siem Reap beyond visiting the temples.
The proposed development could add new attractions to the province’s tourism offering while creating opportunities for businesses connected to hospitality, retail, entertainment, events and tourism services.
From Transit Tourism to Longer Stays
A central objective of the proposed “Miracle Angkor” project is to help move Siem Reap away from a tourism model where visitors mainly arrive, visit Angkor and leave after a short stay.
By adding cultural attractions, entertainment, commercial activities and night time experiences, the project aims to encourage tourists to remain in the province longer. Longer stays could mean more spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping, entertainment and local experiences.
For local businesses and investors, this shift could be particularly important because increasing the length of stay can create greater economic value from each international visitor rather than relying only on higher visitor numbers.
The Proposal Still Requires Further Review
Although the redevelopment plan offers an ambitious vision for the former airport site, it is not yet a finalised project. The proposal will require further study, evaluation and coordination among relevant inter ministerial bodies.
Authorities will also need to ensure that any development complies with existing laws and regulations, particularly those involving aviation safety, land management and heritage protection. These considerations are important given Siem Reap’s proximity to the Angkor Archaeological Park and the cultural significance of the surrounding area.
What Does Stronger Air Connectivity Mean for Siem Reap?
The cooperation between SSCA and SAI shows that restoring passenger traffic is being approached as part of a wider tourism and economic strategy. More flights can bring more visitors, but the bigger opportunity is to connect those visitors with more attractions, businesses and experiences throughout Siem Reap.
If new routes are successfully opened and passenger numbers continue to recover, the benefits could extend beyond the airport. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, retailers, transport providers and other tourism related businesses could all gain from a larger and more diverse flow of international visitors.
Conclusion
SSCA and SAI are taking a more active approach to rebuilding Siem Reap’s air connectivity by targeting new international markets, encouraging airlines to expand services and considering incentives for new routes. At the same time, the proposed “Miracle Angkor” redevelopment could give visitors more reasons to stay longer and spend more time in the province.
The challenge will be turning these plans into sustained passenger growth while protecting Siem Reap’s heritage and ensuring development is managed responsibly. If stronger connectivity is matched with compelling tourism experiences and effective investment, aviation could become a much stronger engine for Siem Reap’s tourism recovery, business activity and long term economic growth.